EKU to start accepting SNAP benefits on campus

RICHMOND, Ky. (WTVQ) — Eastern Kentucky University is celebrating a milestone, the first in the state, for its students and staff.

“For students who are food insecure, making sure that that’s not something that they have to deal with, while they’re on our campus is extremely important for their success,” says Steve Caudill, the chief auxiliary services officer at EKU.

Caudill says the initiative came after, “we had a forum on campus about a year ago, actually, that was about food security, on campus, and really among student population in general. And one of the things that came up was the ability to take SNAP benefits on campus.”

The university is the first in Kentucky to accept SNAP food stamp benefits on campus.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately one in four college students experiences food insecurity.

“We’re really proud of the fact that in the fall, any student and not just students, faculty, staff, community members, anyone who can come to the location that’s going to be in the Stratton building POD. Anybody who can come to that provision on demand location, they can use SNAP benefits to buy the food that they need,” added Caudill.

EKU hopes that in the near future other schools will also accept SNAP benefits.

“I’m very proud of the fact that as a university, we look to every opportunity to meet our students needs, and to be thinking about what can we do to get out in front and be leading in the space of meeting the needs of our students,” he also says.

Officials say the option to use ‘snap’ with the school’s dining plans will be available later.